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Ex-VP Adeeb faces 7 charges over MMPRC scandal

Shahudha Mohamed
29 September 2019, MVT 14:33
Vice President Ahmed Adeeb previously attending a Criminal Court hearing. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI/ MIHAARU
Shahudha Mohamed
29 September 2019, MVT 14:33

Seven different charges were filed against Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb at Criminal Court on Sunday, over the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) scandal that cost the state over MVR 3.7 billion in embezzled funds.

In the largest corruption scandal in Maldivian history, Adeeb is accused of leasing out islands and lagoons for tourism purposes and transferring the resulting funds to a company owned by his associates under the name of SOF.

Prosecutor General's (PG) Office stated on Sunday that the charges were pressed following joint investigations conducted by Maldives Police Service, Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery, into the embezzlement of state funds via MMPRC during 2014 and 2015.

According to the institution, Police submitted the case against Adeeb to PG Office on September 21.

The Ex-VP was recently sentenced to three months in prison for fleeing the country while his passport was withheld under a Supreme Court order.

Formerly, he was sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison for various crimes regarding the MMPRC scandal and the explosion on the Presidential speedboat 'Finifenmaa'.

However, all the sentences were withdrawn claiming he was wrongfully charged.

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is currently on trial regarding the money laundering acts that took place in the former administration with MMPRC acquired funds.

Charges were pressed against Yameen over allegations of laundering the MVR 1 million transferred by SOF to Yameen's personal account.

Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery concluded the probe into MMPRC scandal and presented a report to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Revealing details in the report, President Solih stated that over 60 islands at inflated prices, totaling USD 220 million (MVR 3.3 billion) in acquisition costs.

However, in documentation, the state only earned USD 91 million.

Citing the investigative report, President Solih declared that the state was owed USD 128 million after deducting this amount.

The state aims to recover the total amount lost by the state in the scandal and President Solih declared that he was ready to terminate agreements with leased islands if required.

Moreover, President Solih guaranteed that authorities will take measures against those that benefitted from the scandal.

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